With a new year and a house that is in the process of being Marie Kondo-ed a little bit at a time, things are looking good around here and I’m just looking for more ways to freshen things up. I haven’t used candles for some time now since a lot of people in my family and the guests who regularly visit us have sensitivities to smells, so I’m always looking for some ways to help my home smell clean and fresh without all the yucky fake scents.

BRINGING IN THE GOOD STUFF

OPEN THE WINDOW. The quickest way to freshen things up is as easy as opening a window. This makes your entire space feel cleaner and truly helps lift the mood in your home. It is especially great with lifting odors like leftover cooking smells or lingering odors from home improvement projects like painting.

I know it is winter time, but even if it is freezing, just cracking a window for a short time makes a really big difference.

TRY A NEUTRALIZER. Some people really love the idea of a home that just smells perfectly of nothing. To achieve this you can try an air neutralizer like activated charcoal filters that you can put in a small bag and hang in places prone to odors, such as diaper pails, near litter boxes, or the bottom of your gym bag :)

THINK BEYOND THE CANDLE. If you already have a candle you just love--go for it but try to stick to just using one or two at a time so you don’t completely overwhelm everyone with the scent.

A cleaner option is an essential oil diffuser because they don’t give off any soot or ash. They also provide really natural smells. Another great thing about diffusers is that they are easily customizable in a way that candles aren’t by mixing essentials oils to find combinations that are perfectly you.

OTHER SUBTLE WAYS TO SCENT.

FABRIC REFRESHER SPRAY. Another way to freshen things up is to make your own fabric refresher spray. You can do this by combining half a cup of white vinegar, half a cup of rubbing alcohol, 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, and 20 drops of your favorite oil in a small spray bottle. Shake well before each use and mist it over clothing, upholstery, ensuring that clothes completely dry before you fold them.

BAKING SODA SACHETS. You can make baking soda sachets, which absorb bad smells and add in good ones. Do this by filling a coffee filter with baking soda, and adding about 5 drops of essential oil and then tie it off. Toss it in a drawer or anywhere that needs a little refresh.

FURNACE FILTER TRICK. Next time you replace the furnace filter, add 10 to 20 drops of essential oil. The air will actually help disperse the scent throughout the space.

ALWAYS REMEMBER. It is a common misconception that a house feels cleaner if a nice, strong scent envelops you the second you enter the room. That is actually false. In fact, more subtle smells are the ones that stick with people longer. And you don’t want people to think, “Oh wow, it smells like pine tree in here!” Instead, you want people think, “Wow, it smells really nice in here!” You should be going after a general feeling of energy, relaxation, or whatever your intention is for the space.

This also helps you be more mindful of guests. Some people have allergies or sensitivities to certain smells so you don’t want to make them uncomfortable in your home. Even if you love your warm apple pie candle, if you have guests, the better option would be to focus on scents that are more natural like woods, florals, and citrus.

Have you joined the wave of people watching Marie Kondo’s show on Netflix called Tidying Up? Apparently it is just sweeping the nation :) I wish you luck if you are and even if you are not--I hope these tips were helpful to help bring in even more freshness to your home in this new year.